OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively compare the imaging characteristics of retropharyngeal density and associated findings for Kawasaki disease with those for non-Kawasaki disease, and identify the distinguishing features which aid the CT diagnosis of Kawasaki disease with retropharyngeal low density. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among the enhanced neck CT performed in children less than 8-years old with clinical presentation of fever and cervical lymphadenopathy over a 6-year period, only cases with retropharyngeal low density (RLD) were included in this study. The 56 cases of RLD were divided into two groups; group A included cases diagnosed as Kawasaki disease (n = 34) and group B included cases diagnosed as non-Kawasaki disease (n = 22). We evaluated the CT features including the thickness of RLD and its extent into the deep neck spaces, as well as soft tissue change in the adjacent structure. We also scored the extent of RLD into the deep neck spaces and the soft tissue changes in the adjacent structure. RESULTS: The thickness of RLD was greater in group A than in group B (group A, 6.0 +/- 2.1; group B, 4.6 +/- 1.5, p = 0.01). The score of the RLD extent into the deep neck spaces was significantly greater in group A than in group B (group A, 2.3 +/- 1.3; group B, 0.8 +/- 1.0, p < 0.01). Also, the score of the adjacent soft tissue changes was greater in group A than in group B (group A, 2.0 +/- 1.1; group B, 1.0 +/- 1.0, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: If children present with fever and cervical lymphadenopathy that display retropharyngeal low density with extension into more deep neck spaces as well as changes in more adjacent soft tissue, the possibility of Kawasaki disease should be considered.
Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Diseases/complications/radiography ; Male ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome/complications/*radiography ; Neck/*radiography ; Pharyngeal Diseases/complications/*radiography ; Pharynx/*radiography ; *Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo investigate the characteristics of a new clinical-image syndrome-mild encephalitis/encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion (MERS) of corpus callosum.

METHODThe clinical and imaging features of one pediatric patient with the diagnosis of MERS were analyzed and the clinical and radiologic data of 44 MERS cases which were reported all around the world were also analyzed.

RESULTThe underlying disease of the patient before the onset was respiratory mycoplasma infection. On the second day of the disease course, the patient presented symptoms of encephalopathy. Brain MRI indicated lesions in the splenium of corpus callosum, centrum semiovate and posterior periventricular white matter. And these lesions recovered completely within 3 weeks. Most of the 44 patients diagnosed with MERS were associated with infectious diseases and completely recovered within two weeks. Symptoms included consciousness disturbance, convulsions and dysarthria. In addition to the splenium, brain MRI also showed lesions in genu of corpus callosum, centrum semiovate and white matter of frontal lobe.

CONCLUSIONThe clinical presentations of MERS were sudden onset of symptoms of encephalopathy during acute inflammation. Brain MRI indicated a reversible lesion in the splenium of corpus callosum. Patients recover completely within a few days.

Bacterial Infections ; complications ; Brain ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Corpus Callosum ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Electroencephalography ; Encephalitis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; complications ; Radiography ; Virus Diseases ; complications

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is now widely used in several fields of cardiovascular disease assessment due to recent technical developments. CMR can give physicians information that cannot be found with other imaging modalities. However, there is no guideline which is suitable for Korean people for the use of CMR. Therefore, we have prepared a Korean guideline for the appropriate utilization of CMR to guide Korean physicians, imaging specialists, medical associates and patients to improve the overall medical system performances. By addressing CMR usage and creating these guidelines we hope to contribute towards the promotion of public health. This guideline is a joint report of the Korean Society of Cardiology and the Korean Society of Radiology.
Cardiomyopathies/diagnosis/radiography ; Cardiotonic Agents/therapeutic use ; Chest Pain/complications/diagnosis/radiography ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Artery Disease/*diagnosis/drug therapy/radiography ; Dobutamine/therapeutic use ; Echocardiography ; Heart Defects, Congenital/diagnosis/radiography ; Heart Failure/diagnosis/ultrasonography ; Humans ; *Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome/complications/diagnosis ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Prognosis ; Risk Assessment ; Ventricular Function, Left/physiology